Access to shore leave - SSB No.: 19/2022

Purpose

This bulletin it to remind authorized representatives and masters of vessels of their legal obligation to approve shore leave for seafarers.

Scope

This bulletin respects:

• Shore leave for seafarers onboard foreign vessels
• Shore leave for seafarers onboard domestic vessels

What you need to know

Shore leave for seafarers onboard foreign vessels, at Canadian ports, terminals and marine facilities

Authorized representatives of vessels are reminded of the requirement under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006) to grant shore leave to their vessel complement. The MLC 2006 reads, “Seafarers shall be granted shore leave to benefit their health and well-being and consistent with the operational requirements of their positions”. (MLC 2006, Regulation 2.4, Paragraph 2).

Authorized representatives of foreign ships in Canadian waters are expected to make every effort to approve shore leave for seafarers as soon as possible after a ship’s arrival in port, which is essential for seafarer physical and mental health.

Company policies designed to protect the vessel complement from illness should take into consideration that today there are a number of vaccines and treatments available for COVID-19, and the application of reasonable personal preventive health measures can protect those at higher risk of more severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19. Also, these policies should take into consideration local and/or regional guidelines published by public health authorities with respect to COVID-19.

Seafarers with approved shore leave are encouraged to consult the following documents:

• SSB 11/2022 - Foreign seafarers can obtain a COVID-19 vaccine in Canada
• SSB 21/2022 - Updated guidelines respecting the mobility of asymptomatic, presumed non-COVID-19-carrying* seafarers in the marine sector during the COVID-19 pandemic

As a foreign vessel operating in Canadian waters, your vessel can be inspected to make sure you are complying with the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and international conventions.

During port state control inspections, Port State Control Officers will ensure that seafarers are granted shore leave in accordance with the provisions of the MLC 2006.

If there are any issues, the officer will not allow the vessel to proceed to sea until the necessary corrective actions have been taken to the satisfaction of the attending Port State Control Officer.

Shore leave for seafarers onboard Canadian vessels making domestic voyages

Authorized representatives are encouraged to leverage their established Workplace Health and Safety Committee or Health and Safety Representative to determine appropriate shore leave measures that take into consideration the unique operating environment of the vessel to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 while maintaining operations.

Company policies designed to protect the vessel complement from illness should take into consideration that today there are a number of vaccines and treatments available for COVID-19, and the application of reasonable personal preventive health measures can even protect those at higher risk of more severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19. Also, these policies should take into consideration local and/or regional guidelines published by public health authorities with respect to COVID-19.

Keywords

1. Shore leave
2. MLC 2006
3. Canada Shipping Act, 2001

Questions concerning this Bulletin should be addressed to:

Contact us at: Email: marinesafety-securitemaritime@tc.gc.ca or Telephone: 1-855-859-3123 (Toll Free).